Cure Connections®

The Brains Behind Conquering Glioblastoma

To help ensure that patients and their loved ones understand a diagnosis of glioblastoma, and have the tools necessary to move forward with their cancer journey more proactively, CURE Connections host, Dr Philippa Cheetham, discusses top considerations in brain cancer with experts Dr Joon Uhm, an associate professor of neurology and director of neuro-oncology at the Mayo Clinic, and Jennifer Serventi, a neuro-oncology research associate at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Also providing insight throughout this program is a patient advocate, Dellann Elliott Mydland, founder and president of EndBrainCancer.org, and Megan Patton, an 18-year brain cancer survivor.

▼ Episode 1 Megan's Journey with Brain Cancer

Megan Patton talks briefly about how unrelated symptoms led to the detection and diagnosis of an oligodendroglioma tumor at just 27 years old. She discusses how she moved forward with life following surgery, and what it was like learning of her first cancer recurrence.

Dr. Joon Uhm discusses what health care professionals need to consider to help differentiate brain cancer from more common health complications, and highlights common symptoms with which patients with brain tumors often present. Dellann Elliott Mydland talks about her husband's fight with brain cancer, and why she established the cancer support and advocacy group, EndBrainCancer.org.

Jennifer Serventi describes her role in neuro-oncology and discusses her top considerations when interacting with patients and loved ones following a diagnosis of brain cancer. She also highlights members of the multidisciplinary team that often works alongside her and her team when caring for patients.

In this segment, Dr. Joon Uhm summarizes some of the more common types of brain cancer tumors and their effects on a patient. Jennifer Serventi remarks that tumors can evolve over time. Also, Megan Patton discusses how her pathology report revealed a different type of tumor during recurrence than during her initial diagnosis, and compares her first experience with neurosurgery to her second.

Dr. Joon Uhm and Jennifer Serventi highlight the importance of a multidisciplinary, team-based approach when caring for patients with brain cancer, and suggest the types of professionals who should be part of a patient’s care team. Dellann Elliott Mydland discusses patients' lack of awareness in variations of care between institutions, and explains what her organization is doing to address challenges when connecting patients to the right care teams.

In this segment, Dr. Joon Uhm, Jennifer Serventi, Dellann Elliott Mydland and Megan Patton explain what tumor tissue banking is and why it is so beneficial in brain cancer. The panelists also discuss their concerns about the lack of current tissue banking despite its benefits.

Dr. Joon Uhm and Jennifer Serventi discuss goals of surgery in brain cancer and explore factors that affect patient appropriateness. Megan Patton discusses her journey with brain cancer following neurosurgery, and remarks on how patient support groups such as EndBrainCancer.org have helped her through her journey. Dellann Elliott Mydland highlights the types of resources that are available through her organization for patients preparing for neurosurgery.

In this segment, Dr. Joon Uhm and Jennifer Serventi discuss how treatment in brain cancer has progressed throughout the last decade. Together, they highlight the types of therapies available and discuss the factors that health care professionals take into consideration when making treatment decisions for patients. Dellann Elliott Mydland explains how her organization instills positivity in patients who reach out with questions about treatments and side effects.

Dr. Joon Uhm, Jennifer Serventi and Dellann Elliott Mydland discuss how their team members help connect patients with the services they need to ensure they receive pre-authorization, coverage and financial support for treatment and out-of-pocket expenses associated with cancer care.

When making decisions about treatment for patients diagnosed with brain cancers such as glioblastoma, Dr. Joon Uhm, Jennifer Serventi and Dellann Elliott Mydland remark that it is important to consider one’s expectations of how treatment may affect their quality of life and tailor the goals of therapy to include this factor.

In this segment, Dr Joon Uhm, Jennifer Serventi, and Dellann Elliott Mydland highlight the benefits of incorporating Optune therapy into a patientís standard of care. Jennifer and Dellann discuss how they work with patients to educate them and manage challenges associated with using the device.

Dr. Joon Uhm, Jennifer Serventi and Dellann Elliott Mydland suggest factors that may affect care for patients in the future. Uhm remarks that there is potential for the use of immunotherapies in glioblastoma and Jennifer and Dellann reinforce that idea that patients and loved ones need to seek support and approach a diagnosis proactively.